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Canada’s food inspection agency has announced it plans to start a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court declined to halt the controversial slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday eliminated all legal impediment to commencing the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the community of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an outbreak of bird flu.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Reactions

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

The case has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Interest and Proposals

A number of prominent figures from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to relocate the birds to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its cull order.

Health and Moral Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication policy in order to limit the spread of bird flu, a move consistent with broader guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to conduct further testing on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or healed, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and effectiveness of the tests on the birds.

Farm Spokesperson Reaction

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the press that the agency was killing birds in good health.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she stated.

A co-owner said he was concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

A federal court, however, determined that permitting the ostriches to stay alive could result in the spread of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to people.

The authority has not announced at what time it expects to begin culling the birds.

Culling Methods

A 2016 agency manual, obtained under public access laws, says the birds can be killed by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires three people: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Employees of the organization can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Latest Developments

According to media sources, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the rear of the ostrich pen.